Better to be safe at this point of the schedule so Red Wings forward Stephen Weiss was just that.

When his groin started acting up during Friday's exhibition victory over Toronto the trainers and Weiss decided to rest the third period.

By Saturday morning Weiss was glad he did certain he will be ready for Wednesday's season opener against Buffalo.

"It was more of a maintenance thing" said Weiss who didn't skate Saturday morning in Detroit but expects to be ready for Monday's practice. "Let it (the groin) settle down a bit and take a couple of days (off) here and get back after it Monday.

The Wings flew to Toronto later Saturday for a game against the Maple Leafs.

"There was something going on (in the groin area) and I figured just be smart for once and let it settle down a bit so be ready for Wednesday."

The line of Weiss centering Johan Franzen and Daniel Alfredsson was together for two periods Friday its first time together all exhibition season other than intrasquad scrimmages before Weiss was forced out.

"We had some chances moved the puck and created some offense" Weiss said. "For the first time together it was a good start. We just need to build on it.

"There's not much you can do about it. Alfie was out for a while (groin injury) and Mule was out for a while (hip flexor) but like I've said before it's three guys who've been around a little bit and we'll make it work.